Grave marker assembly

ABSTRACT

A grave marker assembly that can be removably mounted and secured to a support surface such as a lawn crypt lid. The grave marker assembly has a fastening system that is not exposed to view and yet allows the grave marker to be easily installed and removed. The fastening system includes a channel and interior opening formed on a base member that is adapted to receive a fastener. The fastener in turn is adapted to be inserted into an opening formed on the crypt lid or other support surface. The assembly further includes a multi-function frame disposed along the outer periphery of the memorial marker that can serve as a decorative feature and draining functions.

INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claimis identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the presentapplication are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to grave site markers, and moreparticularly, to a grave marker assembly that can be removably mountedand secured to lawn crypt lids or other support surfaces.

2. Description of the Related Art

In an effort to conserve cemetery space, the traditional practice ofexcavating individual grave sites for interment of each casket has beengradually replaced by the use of lawn crypts. Lawn crypts generallyrefer to an array of burial vaults installed below ground and positionedside-by-side in rows. Each crypt is typically a rectangular, concreteenclosure that may be of single or double depth and configured toenclose one or more caskets therein. The crypts are usually spaced inclose proximity to one another to provide efficient use of cemeteryspace.

The lawn crypts are typically covered by concrete lids configured to fitover the opening of the crypt. The crypt lids are in turn covered bysoil and lawn that are flush with the ground. A double depth lawn cryptis described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,030 to Sannipoli, while a modifiedlid for such a crypt, incorporating a headstone support, is described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,243,997. A lawn crypt covering system is described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 7,530,149 and 7,337,585. The entirety of each of thesepatents is hereby incorporated by reference.

Grave markers such as memorial plaques are usually used to mark gravesites and identify the deceased who are buried at the site. Gravemarkers for lawn crypts are typically horizontal tablets or slabsengraved with the names, dates of birth and death, and other informationof the deceased. The tablets or slabs can be made of a variety ofdifferent materials, such as granite, marble, stone, or concrete. Theyare usually set on a thick concrete block and anchored in the groundwith the upper surface of the marker exposed. In order to add additionalnames to or change the marker, the marker must be removed by excavatingthe surrounding earth. Because the grave marker is set in soil with nosecuring mechanism, vandals and thieves can easily remove the gravemarker by simply digging it out of the ground.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved grave markerassembly that can be removably mounted and secured to lawn crypts andother support surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a grave marker assembly adapted forremovably mounting and securing a grave marker to a grave site structuresuch as a lawn crypt lid. The assembly is designed to permit ease ofmounting or removal of the grave marker from the grave site, while atthe same time providing a mechanism to secure the grave marker to thegrave site in a manner such that the marker cannot be easily removed byvandals and thieves. The grave marker assembly is also designed with adrainage system to drain rain water and such from the upper surface ofthe grave marker.

In one embodiment, the grave marker assembly is configured with afastening system that allows the assembly to be easily installed andremoved from a support surface such as a lawn crypt lid. The fasteningsystem comprises a channel formed on a lower surface of the assemblywherein the channel is formed to receive a retainer such as a fasteningscrew and to secure the retainer at a location interior to the outeredge of the assembly. The retainer in turn can be inserted into anopening on the lawn crypt lid or other support surface so as to securelymount the assembly thereto. In some implementations, the fasteningsystem also includes an extraction slot designed to facilitate theremoval process. The extraction slot preferably allows easy insertion ofa prying tool to a location adjacent to the retainer. In otherimplementations, the assembly also includes a cover that is disposedadjacent the extraction slot and channel opening to conceal thesefeatures from view. In some other implementations, the assembly furtherincludes a multifunction frame that is adapted to provide drainagefunction to the grave marker assembly as well as provide decorativeelements.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a system foridentifying a deceased person or pet buried within a vault that definesa space for receiving at least one deceased person or pet. The vaultincludes an upper surface having a receiving opening and wherein theupper surface is positioned a first distance from the level of theground. The system generally comprises a base having a lower surface andan upper surface, wherein the upper surface is adapted to receive anidentification marker for the at least one deceased person or pet. Thebase also defines a plurality of side edges. At least one of the sideedges includes an opening that extends into the base wherein a channelis formed on the bottom surface of the base so as to be in communicationwith the opening along the length of the opening, wherein the width ofthe channel is smaller than the width of the opening. The system furthercomprises a retainer that has a head of a first width and a shaft of asecond width, less than the first width, wherein the head of theretainer is positioned into the opening of the base so that the shaftextends through the channel wherein the shaft of the retainer includesbiasing members such that the shaft, when extended through the channelengages with the receiving opening of the vault so as to retain the basein contact with the vault.

In a preferred embodiment, the biasing members on the retainer aredeformable and the base includes an extraction slot positioned on a sidesurface that allows a user to pry the base out of engagement with thereceiving opening of the vault. In another preferred embodiment, thebiasing members comprise a plurality of flexible members that extendoutward and upward from the shaft of the retainer so that the biasingmembers engage the inner surface of the receiving opening to inhibitremoval of the retainer from the receiving opening. In yet anotherembodiment, the biasing members are formed of a deformable material sothat the biasing members can be deformed to permit removal of theretaining member from the receiving opening.

In another preferred embodiment, the system further comprises a coverthat covers the opening in the side wall of the base and the extractionslot so as to hide the opening and extraction slot from view. In anotherpreferred embodiment, the system further comprises at least one edgepiece that is secured to the base adjacent at least one of the sides ofthe base. In yet another embodiment, the at least one edge piece definesa frame piece that frames the identification marker of the deceasedperson or pet. In yet another preferred embodiment, the a portion of theframe member is positioned on the upper surface of the base and whereinthe portion of the frame member includes at least one aperture thatextends to the side surface of the base so that water accumulating onthe upper surface of the base drains through the aperture and into theground adjacent the side of the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a grave marker assembly mounted toa lawn crypt system according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the grave marker assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a grave marker assembly ofone embodiment;

FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a grave marker assembly ofone embodiment having a retainer being mounted to a crypt lid or othersupport surface;

FIGS. 4 and 4A are schematic illustrations of a top view and perspectiveview of a base of the grave marker of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a side view of the retainer beingengaged with the opening in the base of the grave marker assembly;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a grave marker assembly of one preferredembodiment showing the frame of one embodiment;

FIG. 6A is a sectional view of the frame, showing the drainage channels;and

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates the manner in which water can bedrained from the surface of the marker.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

References will now be made to the drawings wherein like numerals referto like parts throughout. FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a gravemarker assembly 100 of one preferred embodiment used in conjunction witha lawn crypt system 200 which includes a plurality of single or doubledepth crypts 202 each covered with a crypt lid 204. In someimplementations, pea gravel and sand 206 fill the space between adjacentcrypts 202 and artificial turf 208 can be placed on the ground betweenadjacent crypt lids.

As shown in FIG. 1, the grave marker assembly 100 is mounted on an uppersurface of the crypt lid 204. Each grave marker assembly 100 generallycomprises a base 102, a memorial marker 104 attached to an upper surface106 of the base 102, and a frame member 108 disposed along the peripherythe memorial marker 104. The base 102 can be made of a variety ofmaterial, such as fiberglass, FRP, ABS, PVC, and combinations thereof.The memorial marker 104 can be a plaque, slab, tablet or the like, andcan be made of a variety of material such as marble, stone, granite, orconcrete. Because the grave marker assembly 100 advantageouslyeliminates the need for anchoring the marker in soil, the thickness ofthe grave marker can be reduced. In one implementation, the thickness ofthe memorial marker 104 is between 16 mm and 19 mm (⅝ inch to ¾ inch),and the thickness of the base 102 is between 2 and 8 mm. The reductionin thickness in turn reduces material cost and overall weight of theassembly.

As FIG. 1 further illustrates, a channel 110 extends from a side edge112 of the base 102 to an interior point 114 that is located preferablybetween 3.18 mm to 76.2 mm (⅛ inch to 3 inches), more preferably 25.4 mmto 76.2 mm (1 inch to 3 inches), more preferably 25.4 mm (1 inch) fromthe side edge 112. An opening 116 is formed in the base 101 at theinterior point 114. As will be described in greater detail below, thechannel 110 and the opening 116 are adapted to receive a fasteningdevice for securing the assembly to the crypt lid 204 or other similarsupport surface. The grave marker assembly 100 comprises one or morefastening devices 118 adapted to removably mount and secure the base 102to the upper surface of the crypt lid 204. In one implementation, thefastening device 118 is a fastening screw configured to be slippedthrough the channel 110 in the base 102 to the opening 116 located atthe interior point 114. The fastening screw is configured to be seatedin the opening 116. Preferably, the fastening screw is positioned atleast a distance from the side edge 112 of the base so that it is notreadily visible from view. In some implementations, the assembly 100further includes a cover 120 that covers the channel opening in the baseso as to conceal the channel opening from view.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the grave marker assembly 100. As shownin FIG. 2, the memorial marker 104 is securely attached to the crypt lid(not shown) and flush with the grass, artificial turf 208, or the likelocated above the crypt. As further shown, the frame member 108 isdisposed around the outer edges of the memorial marker 104. The framemember can be made of a decorative design and can be made of a varietyof different materials such as granite, metal, or a combination thereof.As also shown in FIG. 2, the fastening device 118 is seated below thememorial marker 104, in an opening located on the interior end of thechannel 110. As such, the fastening device is not readily accessible byvandals or those who do not know the location of the fastening device.

FIG. 3A illustrates a detailed cross-sectional view of the grave markerassembly 100. As shown in FIG. 3A, the memorial marker 104 is attachedto an upper surface 122 of the base 102. The base 102 has an opening 124formed on a side edge 126 which leads to a channel extending inwardlyfrom the side edge 126. An extraction slot 128 is also formed along theside edge 126 to facilitate extraction of the fastener 118 with a pryingdevice. As shown in FIG. 3B, in some implementations, the fastener is afastening screw that is extended though the channel and received into aninterior opening. Once the head of the fastening screw is securelyseated in the interior opening, the stem of the fastening screw isinserted into an opening 210 formed on the crypt lid 204. In otherembodiments, the fastening screw can be inserted into openings formed onother support structures, such as a concrete block or the like.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the base 102, further illustrating thechannels, slots, and openings configured to accommodate the installationand securing of the fastening device. As shown in FIG. 4, each channel110 extends from a side edge 126 a, 126 b to an interior slot 116. Theextraction slot 128 can be formed along each side edge 126 a, 126 badjacent to the channels 110. As shown in FIG. 5, in one embodiment, theinterior slot 116 is biased at a slightly lower level than the channel110 so that the fastening device can be securely seated in the slot 116.The extraction slot 128 preferably extends along the side edge tofacilitate prying of the assembly to remove the assembly from the cryptlid or other support surface.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the grave marker assembly 100 completewith the frame member 108. As shown in FIG. 6, the frame member 108 isremovable and configured to mate with the upper edges of the memorialmarker 104 so as to form a border or frame around the marker. The framemember 108 can also include decorative elements. In one embodiment, asshown in FIG. 6A, the frame member 108 also serves drainage function byproviding spaced apart grooves 130 that allow water to flow from the topof the memorial marker 104 through the grooves into the ground. As alsoshown in FIG. 6, in some embodiments, removable covers 120 positioned onthe side edges of the base 102 and memorial marker 104 hide thefastening device from view.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective section view of the grave markerassembly 100, illustrating the drainage function provided by the framemember 108. As shown in FIG. 7, water 302 accumulated on the uppersurface of the memorial marker 104 can flow down spaced apart grooves304 between the frame member 108 and the memorial marker 104. Thegrooves 304 provide a path for water to flow downwardly through the sideedges and into the ground.

Advantageously, the grave marker assembly according to the preferredembodiments incorporates a fastening mechanism that allows easyinstallation and removal of the grave marker from a support surface suchas a lawn crypt lid. The fastening mechanism is also concealed from viewso as to prevent vandals and thieves from removing the grave marker.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention has shown, described and pointed out the fundamental novelfeatures of the invention. It will be understood that various omissions,substitutions, and changes in the form of the detail of the apparatus asillustrated as well as the uses thereof, may be made by those skilled inthe art, without departing from the spirit of the invention.Consequently, the scope of the invention should not be limited to theforegoing discussions, but should be defined by appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A grave marker assembly, comprising: a basemember having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the basemember comprises a lateral channel extending parallel to the lowersurface and an interior slot formed on one end of the lateral channel,said channel extends from an outer edge of the base member to theinterior slot; and a fastener comprising an upper portion and a lowerportion, wherein the width of the upper portion is greater than thewidth of the lower portion, wherein the fastener is adapted to be movedthrough the lateral channel to the interior slot which is adapted toseat the upper portion of the fastener.
 2. The grave marker assembly ofclaim 1, further comprising a removable frame member.
 3. The gravemarker assembly of claim 2, wherein the removable frame member comprisesspaced apart interior grooves adapted to drain water from the uppersurface of a memorial marker.
 4. A system for identifying a deceasedperson or pet buried within a vault that defines a space for receivingat least one deceased person or pet wherein the vault includes an uppersurface that has a receiving opening and wherein the upper surface ispositioned a first distance from the level of the ground, the systemcomprising: a base that has a lower surface and an upper surface that isadapted to receive an identification marker for the at least onedeceased person or pet, wherein the base defines a plurality of sideedges and wherein at least one of the side edges includes an openingthat extends into the base, wherein a channel is formed on the bottomsurface so as to be in communication with the opening along the lengthof the opening wherein the width of the channel smaller than the widthof the opening; a retainer that has a head of a first width and a shaftof a second width, less than the first width, wherein the head of theretainer is positioned into the opening of the base so that the shaftextends through the channel wherein the shaft of the retainer includesbiasing members such that the shaft, when extended through the channelengages with the receiving opening of the vault so as to retain the basein contact with the vault.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the biasingmembers on the retainer are deformable and the base include anextraction slot positioned on a side surface that allows a user to prythe base out of engagement with the receiving opening of the vault. 6.The system of claim 5, further comprising a cover that covers theopening in the side wall of the base and the extraction slot so as tohide the opening and extraction slot from view.
 7. The system of claim4, wherein the biasing members comprise a plurality of flexible membersthat extend outward and upward from the shaft of the retainer so thatthe biasing members engage the inner surface of the receiving opening toinhibit removal of the retainer from the receiving opening.
 8. Thesystem of claim 7, wherein the biasing members are formed of adeformable material so that the biasing members can be deformed topermit removal of the retaining member from the receiving opening. 9.The system of claim 4, further comprising at least one edge piece thatis secured to the base adjacent at least one of the sides of the base.10. The system of claim 7, wherein the at least one edge piece defines aframe piece that frames the identification marker of the deceased personor pet.
 11. The system of claim 7, wherein the a portion of the framemember is positioned on the upper surface of the base and wherein theportion of the frame member includes at least one aperture that extendsto the side surface of the base so that water accumulating on the uppersurface of the base drains through the aperture and into the groundadjacent the side of the base.